Change the Yard Waste Collection Policy

Currently in Fitchburg, Wisconsin; residents are allowed to collect yard waste in plastic, compostable or reusable bags/containers. Many residents that utilize yard waste collection opt for plastic bags. During the last yard waste collection, in November 2011, one thousand pounds of plastic bags were collected and sent to the landfill.

Our mission is to have the yard waste policy be changed to disallow plastic bags for the collection of leaves and yard waste, and encourage residents to use greener options such as mulching.

Help reduce the consumption of plastic bags. Help us today by signing our petition!

I am writing to express my deep concern over the current yard waste policy for Fitchburg, WI.

Every year over 380 billion plastic bags are consumed in the United States alone. Americans toss 100 billion annually and less then 12 percent of plastics are recovered for recycling. These plastic bags create a huge problem across the globe. In landfills these plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to degrade. Across the globe, plastic bags kill over 100,000 marine life every year.

The current yard waste policy for Fitchburg allows residents to use plastic, compostable or reusable bags/containers. Many residents that utilize yard waste collection opt for plastic bags. During the last yard waste collection, in November 2011, one thousand pounds of plastic bags were collected and sent to the landfill.

We are requesting that the yard waste policy be changed to disallow plastic bags for the collection of leaves and yard waste, and encourage residents to use greener options such as mulching. This is will reduce the amount of plastic bags currently going into our landfill or otherwise polluting our environment.